The Gauteng Education Department is spending R192 million annually to rent offices, many of which are in poor condition and unfit for occupation. Meanwhile, many learners in Gauteng are still taught in overcrowded asbestos classrooms, which pose serious health hazards.
This was revealed during a recent Gauteng Legislature Education Portfolio Committee meeting. During the meeting several concerns were raised regarding the condition of these offices, rented for R192 million a year. These issues include leaking roofs, inadequate ablution facilities, insufficient access to clean drinking water, lack of disability-friendly features, poor electrical maintenance, inadequate ventilation, and security deficiencies, among others.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) recently raised concern about the department’s astronomical spending on these rentals. Shockingly, it was revealed that not only are the rental costs unjustifiable, but the deplorable condition of the buildings fails to meet basic standards.
It is highly suspicious that R192 million is spent annually on rent while the offices are in disrepair. Again, we question how it would not be wiser for Gauteng’s Education Department to invest this money in building new offices instead of renting dilapidated ones.
The DA has submitted questions to the Gauteng Department of Education MEC, Matome Chiloane demanding to know who owns these rented properties. We want to understand why the department has accepted such poor conditions and continues to pay excessive rent when they could have moved to more reasonably priced and fit premises.
The DA continues to oppose the waste of public funds and will advocate for money to be allocated where it is most needed. This includes ensuring a conducive learning environment for all learners in Gauteng.